Lumpy skin disease in cattle not transmittable to humans, says top official

SRINAGAR — Over 2000 cases of the lumpy disease have been reported in Kashmir so far and over 60 per cent of the affected animals have recovered.

Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Purnima Mithal told the news agency KNO that 2,112 cases of the lumpy disease have been reported in Kashmir so far. She said that the department has already started the vaccination process and around 65 per cent of the affected cattle have already recovered.

According to her, about 89 cattle suffering from the disease have died so far in Kashmir and the situation is very much under control.

On asking whether people can use milk of affected cows, Purnima said there is neither evidence of the transmission of the disease in humans nor it has any effect on the milk. It is a viral disease and after boiling it, it can be used.

Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral skin disease transmitted by vectors affecting cattle and buffaloes only. “This disease is not transmitted from animals to humans,” she said.

It is a viral disease of cattle and buffalo spread through the bite of mosquitoes or parasites. “The disease affects the skin of the infected animal by creating large size lesions on the body,” she said.

On asking about whether the meat of the affected animal can be consumed, she added that the consumption of animal’s meat or milk does not transmit the infection to humans.